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Ethical considerations concerning artificial cells

The PACE project is developing a new kind of technology that can be
used in the future to create artificial cells (http://www.istpace.org).Artificial cellsreproduce themselves,
and this entails that they autonomously maintain a complex, changing,
robust group of behaviors. Artificial cells promise to bring many
social and economic benefits, but unlocking these benefits requires
that humans be able to program and reprogram them. The technology for
programmable artificial cells involves the development of a new
approach to information technology. In addition, creating artificial
cells raises new ethical questions. These questions have been aired and
explored in a series ofworkshops.
Furthermore a document has been
delivered (Ethical guidelines concerning
artificial cells) which
purpose is to take stock of those ethical questions and make
preliminary recommendations about how to conduct our future with
artificial cells in a way that is socially responsible and ethically
admirable.